A Love Match

2 - Sophie

My head was heavy and felt as if it were full of liquid, and every time I moved it, the liquid sloshed around and worsened the nausea. Perhaps this is what it felt like to be on a boat, in which case I would not like to experience it, ever. I felt utterly drained. I opened my eyes for a brief moment but then sleep claimed me again.

The next time I opened my eyes, I heard my sister exclaim:

"Oh heavens, Jonathan, she's awake!"

I felt a cold, wet cloth on my forehead. I felt unrestrained and comfortable; someone must have removed my elaborate gown and restrictive undergarments. Why was Violet here? The bedside table looked different, and so did the coverlet. My lips were dry and were sticking to each other when I tried opening my mouth to speak. Violet seemed to realize and brought a cup of water to my mouth, which my parched throat was grateful for.

"What are you doing here, Violet?" I croaked out.

"You are at my house, darling. What is the last thing you remember before fainting?"

I furrowed my brow. I remembered being at the ball, looking for Nicholas. And then...

I suddenly sat up in bed, only for the liquid to slosh violently inside my head again and knock me back down.

"Better not do that darling. I remember how terrible it was in the early days, the weakness and the nausea."

"So you know?"

"I kind of guessed. Jonathan said you had been complaining about the food smell before you fainted. I was the same, you know."

"How long before it gets better?"

"Mine got better after a month, but it varies, some feel ill even during confinement, up until giving birth. You'll just have to be patient and see, my darling Sophie," she gently caresses my hand, "other than that, how do you feel?"

"How much has Jonathan told you?"

"Everything he was present for, including how he punched Nicholas in the face after you fainted and he came running from behind the hedge to see what the noise was."

"He hit Nicholas?"

Violet nodded somewhat smugly.

"And how. Says his mouth was all bloody!"

I grimaced at the image. The strong raw feelings I had experienced in the garden seemed muted now. My entire body was wrung out.

"He's been trying to come see you, you know. Says he needs to talk to you, but we've instructed the doorman to not let him in."

I looked away. I was not capable of dealing with this presently.

"I need more time. To recover and to think how to proceed," Violet nodded at me sadly. "Is it alright if I stay here to recuperate for a while?"

"You never have to ask, dearest sister. I'll have someone fetch your things from the town house. Jonathan can call on Nicholas to explain."

She was not prying yet, but I knew my sister, she was simply waiting for me to feel a bit better before she started her questioning. At that moment, I had no answers, I was too weak and dizzy to even try and make sense of what I had overheard. Soon Violet excused herself to make the necessary arrangements for my extended stay, and I promptly fell asleep again.

When I next awoke, a maid was lighting the candles and lamps in the room.

"Your Grace, can I help you with anything? I was going to bring your supper now, just some light broth like my lady ordered," the young girl said timidly.